His Other Half (Patches Tarkio MC, #3) - Debra Kayn Page 0,67

multiplied.

She found a book of matches in her dresser and carried the journal to the bathroom.

She lit the pages on fire and watched the flame grow. Then, she threw her past into the bathtub.

Cami and Paco ran into the bathroom. She ignored them as she watched the cover curl and smoke fill the small room. The proof of her shame burned to ashes, gone from the world.

"Josie?" Cami touched her back.

She held up her hand. "I'll be ready in a moment."

Aware of the others watching her, she stayed until every page was gone, and only the soot remained. Cleansed of her past, she turned to Whip.

"Well?" she said.

"There will be a crew of riders at the entrance to the reservation." Whip's gaze intensified. "You'll have two hours to find him, and then we'll ride in shooting."

"I'll need more time." She walked out of the bathroom. "Tell Priest the reservation is a big area. It's almost a hundred and fifty thousand acres. They could have him anywhere."

"Priest doesn't negotiate. He's not happy that you're going. You have to understand that not only are you putting yourself in danger, every Tarkio member who rides in after you is also taking a risk."

"That's why I need more than two hours."

Whip shook his head.

She pressed her lips together. Then, she'd have to hurry. The only person she wanted to be responsible for was herself.

She grabbed her car keys out of her purse. On her way to the door, she decided to take the knife she used for protection with her. She scoured the junk drawer in the kitchen until she found tape. Pulling up the leg of her jeans, she wrapped the knife to the side of her calf.

When she straightened, she looked at Cami. Her friend started to cry.

Knowing if she hugged Cami, she'd fall apart herself, she lifted her chin. "Call him Kitchi when he's small."

Cami shook her head and wiped her cheeks. "What does it mean?"

"Brave, like his mother."

Fresh tears fell, and Cami nodded. Josie looked at Whip. "I'm ready."

Her need to be with Paco outweighed her fear of Askook. She had no choice when her father had sold her. Now, she had a choice to fight for the man she loved.

Chapter 32

Paco

The time from the first cut made on Paco's body to the last blurred in his head. He could no longer tell if it was night or he was living the same day.

Blood coated every inch of his body. A body that no longer hurt, but killed him.

Unable to lift his face off the floor, it took all he had to open his eyes and look for Josie.

Shaw's threat that he had Josie in his possession, and she would be brought here, kept him fighting for consciousness.

He wouldn't let Shaw put his hands on her.

The thunk of footsteps, vibrating the wooden floor, roused him. He struggled to get his roped hands underneath him and push up. Pressing his back against the wall, he wheezed, total exhaustion gripped him. The pain around his ribcage brought out a new level of hate in him, providing him with a burst of adrenaline to keep him awake.

He glowered at Shaw, locking on the knife in the other man's hand. Any more cuts on his body and he wouldn't make it much longer. He wouldn't have any blood left to keep him alive. Already, he could barely keep his eyes open.

Shaw grabbed a wooden chair and dragged it into the middle of the room and straddled the seat, letting his arms dangle over the back in front of Paco. He refused to ask about Josie.

He knew the game Shaw played.

Any form of communication or movement would guarantee him more pain.

Torture was a way to get what Shaw wanted. Paco had done the same thing, many times against Tarkio's enemies.

But he was stronger than Shaw estimated.

He saved any energy he had left in case there was any truth to what Shaw was promising. Josie would need him.

"She'll be here in ten minutes." Shaw's stoic face showed nothing.

He couldn't tell if Shaw lied to get a reaction out of him or if he was telling the truth. Stay away, Josie. If there's any way you can hear me, stay the fuck away.

"Over the years, your club has taken many men off Blackfoot land." Shaw's tone never went higher or lower. As if reciting the nightly news, he continued. "Many ghosts will haunt the mountains."

"You'll be one of them," said Paco, not recognizing his voice or if